Tiny Windmill Siphons Renewable Energy To Your Apartment

Wind turbines might be an excellent source of renewable energy, but they have yet to become a residential feature due to one thing – the noise. Thankfully, a Rotterdam-based company called The Archimedes claims to have a solution that is not only quiet, but significantly more efficient that existing wind turbines. Modelled after a Nautilus shell, its inventors claim the Liam F1 Urban Wind Turbine can achieve “80 percent of the maximum that is theoretically feasible.”

The wind turbine draws on formulas, drawings and principles pioneered by the brilliant Greek mathematician, among other things, Archimedes. Current wind turbines require a difference in pressure between the front and the rear side of the rotor blades to work properly, but this creates drag. The Dutch design claims to eliminate this problem, although it has yet to be tested independently. Liam can also change direction so that it is always harvesting the optimum amount of energy.

“The Liam F1 generates an average of 1,500 kilowatt-hours of energy [per year] at a wind-speed of 5 m/s [16.4 ft/s], which resembles half of the power consumption of a common household.”

Although it’s not officially available until July 1st, the company states that it has already sold 7,000 of the turbines in 14 countries. When it does become available to the general public, it will sell for €3,999, which is about US$5,450.

The Archimedes says they have tested the device “over 50 times,” but with such big claims, it would be wise to wait and see if the company can deliver. If they are true to their word, the unit could become a common feature on people’s houses within the next few years. Combine it with a solar cell or two, and you might soon be able to say that your house is completely powered by renewable sources.